Frustrated with new Sharp Aquos 42" LCD - Trying to hook up computer(s)

[Albigger]

Ok, purchased the Sharp Aquos 42" LC42D62U TV. I have no HD service yet and only an upconverting DVD player.

I'm trying to hook up one of my two PC's to try and get a true 1080p (1920 x 1080) image.

Goal 1: Hook up Laptop. My Inspiron 6000 has a vga output port and a radeon x300 mobile. It works when I connect it to my dell LCD monitor. so the port is good. When I hook up a VGA->DVI connector, then my DVI->HDMI cable to the sharp, I try to enable the video and it doesn't come on. I hooked up an s-video cable from the laptop to the TV and then it lets me enable it, but the Sharp doesn't support dot-by-dot mode or 1:1 pixel mapping in that mode, and the picture looks incredibly blurry. So it doesn't do me much good.

One thing to note is that when I went VGA from laptop to VGA input on dell LCD it worked, but when I went VGA to DVI converter, then DVI cable to DVI input on Dell LCD it didn't work? Could the new VGA to DVI converter I purchased (monoprice.com) be bad?

Goal 2: Hook up my desktop PC to the Sharp. It has a 9800 pro card, AGP. I can get the DVI output into the sharp with the DVI to HDMI cable. I can select dot-by-dot mode. So far looks good, but when I go above 768 vertical lines of resolution the picture gets all fuzzy and staggered like. I can try to take a pic if someone wants to see what it looks like.

Again tried the VGA port on my radeon to the VGA-DVI converter and then into the HDMI input but no picture. This further leads me to believe the adapter I purchased isn't working.

EDIT: I think I got it. Had to set it to 30Hz interlaced instead of 60Hz to display correctly in 1080. This still doesn't solve my laptop issue, but at least I can connect my desktop for now. /EDIT

EDIT2: But wouldn't that mean I'm running in 1080i and not 1080p if it is set to 30 Hz interlaced? So how can I still get true 1080p? /EDIT2

So anyone have suggestions for me? This is driving me NUTS!!

Thanks.
--Jay

[aaronjb]

EDIT2: But wouldn't that mean I'm running in 1080i and not 1080p if it is set to 30 Hz interlaced? So how can I still get true 1080p? /EDIT2

So anyone have suggestions for me? This is driving me NUTS!!

Yeah, that's interlaced.

I can't help you, as I don't have experience with that display. But you'll probably want to check out the thread on the Sharp on avsforum.com (250 pages currently - just use the search): thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=733575) .

[Albigger]

Thanks. I have started (barely) reading that thread. Only got thru the first 3 pages or so though.

[Gunlance]

How are you converting from vga to dvi? Converting and analog signal to a digital signal takes some sort of conversion circuit. Are you using a fancy box that cost a lot to turnt he vga into dvi?

[Albigger]

How are you converting from vga to dvi? Converting and analog signal to a digital signal takes some sort of conversion circuit. Are you using a fancy box that cost a lot to turnt he vga into dvi?

No, more like this $4 unit. And I shouldn't have really said "converter" as its just an "adapter."

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041903&p_id=2397&style=&seq=1&format=1#largeimage

I have used similar looking things to go from dvi to vga and they seem to work just fine, so I didn't even really stop to think it might take a more expensive unit.

So what I have won't do the job I assume. Is there something you would recommend?


EDIT: now that I look closer at the description of that item, it is a DVI-A adapter, which is DVI - analog? I need a DVI-D unit, perhaps? Do those exist?

[aaronjb]

No, more like this $4 unit. And I shouldn't have really said "converter" as its just an "adapter."

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041903&p_id=2397&style=&seq=1&format=1#largeimage

I have used similar looking things to go from dvi to vga and they seem to work just fine, so I didn't even really stop to think it might take a more expensive unit.

So what I have won't do the job I assume. Is there something you would recommend?


EDIT: now that I look closer at the description of that item, it is a DVI-A adapter, which is DVI - analog? I need a DVI-D unit, perhaps? Do those exist?

Correct. The "Adapters" all retain the analog signal. To do a conversion, you'd need a VGA-DVD-D "Converter". Last time I check, these ran into the hundreds.

What other inputs do you have on that display?

[Albigger]

2 HDMI inputs, 3 RCA inputs, 1 S-video and I think one set of component inputs.

I did have it hooked up thru S-vid, but I don't think that supports full resolution? I'll have to double-check.

[aaronjb]

2 HDMI inputs, 3 RCA inputs, 1 S-video and I think one set of component inputs.

I did have it hooked up thru S-vid, but I don't think that supports full resolution? I'll have to double-check.

Generally, S-Vid maxes out at 640x480, interlaced.

[Albigger]

So i'm SOL unless I buy a $$ converter or buy a laptop with DVI output (do they even make those)?

Or will component inputs allow higher resolutions? I know the RCA won't.

[aaronjb]

So i'm SOL unless I buy a $$ converter or buy a laptop with DVI output (do they even make those)?

Or will component inputs allow higher resolutions? I know the RCA won't.

Component input should allow higher resolution, but I'm not familiar with your display. I know that component on my Westinghouse will support full 1080p.

[nvidiaOCmaster]

Component allows 1080i, but idk about 1080p

[Spoudazo]

Component allows 1080i, but idk about 1080p

Yes, component does support and can utilize 1080p. There are pictures of sets running 1080p via component on this forum board.

Usually, it's the HDTV that doesn't support 1080p over component, not the cables themselves. :santa:

[mcoleg]

yes, component can do 1080p. depends on the tv though - some manufacturers try not to allow 1080p over analog connectors.

Albigger, vga to dvi doesn't work without analog to digital converter, period. no matter how hard you try. if you want to go that route, you need to drop around $300 for a converter box. what you need is something like this:

http://www.gefen.com/kvm/product.jsp?prod_id=1310

and even then it's a pain to get the correct resolution.

i don't think 9800 pro supports 1080p too well either. so, either take what you can get or drop some $ for a better vid. card.

better yet, switch that sharp for a westy and you can have all the 1080p connectors you can dream of, including component and vga :P